Original scientific paper
"THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ZAGREB – RIJEKA MOTORWAY": SOCIO-GEOGRAPHIC IMPLICATIONS IN THE RURAL PERIPHERY OF CROATIA
Aleksandar LUKIĆ
orcid.org/0000-0002-7884-5818
; Faculty of Science, Zagreb
Vuk Tvrtko OPAČIĆ
orcid.org/0000-0001-9483-3609
; Faculty of Science, Zagreb
Ivan ZUPANC
orcid.org/0000-0003-2926-4803
; Faculty of Science, Zagreb
Abstract
From the mid 1990s Croatia has become one of the largest road
construction sites in Europe. In addition to numerous positive
effects of the building of motorways there are also negative
consequences which are less obvious. The goal of this study was
to research the socio-geographical implications of the opening of
the motorway Zagreb – Rijeka in the central part of Gorski kotar.
The study focused on settlements situated along the old road
connecting Zagreb and Rijeka and tested the hypothesis that they
have experienced economic stagnation because of the new
motorway. The study is based on field research – mapping,
questionnaires and interviews with business entrepreneurs/
investors, local population, and local authorities. The drop in the
volume of traffic along the old road has had negative effects on
the catering industry, formerly an essential source of income. The
motorway has initiated the emergence of new regional disparities
by marginalizing previously the most significant developmental
trajectory in Gorski kotar. At the same time it has opened up
perspectives for the settlements along the motorway intersections.
The study showed that the survival strategies in areas of naturally
and socially limited developmental options must include a wider
spectrum of economic activities. They too must evaluate all
accessible developmental resources and not limit themselves to
those which are most profitable in the short term.
Keywords
motorway; mountainous rural periphery; economic development; rural development; Gorski kotar; Croatia
Hrčak ID:
37184
URI
Publication date:
30.4.2009.
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